Apparatus for automatic knock-off shower for paper machine



July 16, 1963 D. A. GODDARD APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC KNOCK-OFF SHOWER FORPAPER MACHINE Filed May 23, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 a R E w D N @www A Www .m.||||l I f N .El A NumX/IU 33o OP N\ IIE ZOCUUZZOQ*4 NUQQUI 7 i 4VEUWH @255g mm2 n0 IPJE.. 5 wm m E W I l l Il D ZOTPUUZZOU 04ml NOPUUFUQY/QUN IODOU JJON. )(WOH Dux) Nul/Rr LO 1h49 JLNOZ A 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.1in .N .MF

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July 16, 1963 D. A. GODDARD APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC KNOCK-OFF SHOWER FORPAPER MACHINE Filed May 25, 1961 5 Sheets-Shea?l 3 NUOIW LRO IYUOZV.

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United States Patent Otice 3,097,993 Patented July 16, 1963 3,097,993APPARATUS lFOR AUTOMATIC KNOCK-OFF SHoWER FOR PAPER MACHINE Denis A.Goddard, Como, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Dominion Engineering WorksLimited"- j v Filed May 23, 1961, Ser. No. 112,044

11 Claims. (Cl. 162-255) This invention relates to paper vmachinery and:has particular reference .to .new and im-proved `apparatus for removingthe paper web Afrom a Fourdrinierwirein the event An object of theinvention is to provide new and improved apparatus of the type settort-h which is quick, reli- ,a-ble and sate.

Another object of the invention vis to provide Anew and improved .deviceof the typeset forth which senses a break `in `the paper web right atthe couch and `as .close as possible to the actual break and whichsenses a break in the `paper web the instant it occurs.

Another Yobject of the invention is to provide a new and improvedlapparat-us of the type set forth `which uses a minimum amount of highpressure wat-er and is operated only when necessary.

Another object vis to provide a device of the type s et forth which hasfail safe characteristics whereby any blockage ofthe sensor inlet holesmerely causes operation ,of the knock-oli? shower.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be yapparent from thefollowing description `taken in .connection with the accompanyingdrawings land it will be understood that .changes can be made Vinthedetails of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from.the scopeof lthe invention as set forth in the accompanying claims, thepreferred form having been shown by Way .of illustration only.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the couch end of a paper machineFourdrinier and `embodying the `present invention; Y

lFIGURE 2 is a plan view of the detector head assembly;

`FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of FIGURE 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows; `and -FIGURE 4 is .a schematic diagram ofthe invention showing the relative positions Iof the various components.

In ,the operation of a paper machine Fourdrinier, when the paper web.breaks at the couch, instead of passing directly from the cou-ch to thepress section, it clings -to the Fourdrinier forming wire and passesaround the couch and Ialong underneath the Fourdrinier, where it cancause damage and also fall in-to a section of the wire pit Vnot designedto accommodate it.

The purpose of -the present invention, therefore, is to remove the paperweb from the Fourdrinier wire and pass into a pit vbelow the conch,designed to receive it.

One known method of achieving lthe above object is to provide aknock-off shower Ipositioned near the lcouch and running continuously,-to prevent the paper web clinging to the Fourdrinier wire.

Another method Iutilizes photoelectric cells on either sideof `the paperweb, which complete an electrical circuit when the paper web -breaks andwhich in turn operates a knock-olf shower.

Another method has been to use manually operated valves to turn on aknock-off shower.

One big disadvantage ot the first method is that a continuously runningvshower consumes an excessive amount of water. In addition, it dilutesthe contents of the couch pit, causing great difficulty in maintainingstock consistencies. A

A .disadvantage of the photoelectric cell arrangement is that thesensing device'is usually positioned after Ione of the presses, giving asignal which is too late to `be effective. Also, the photoelectric cellseventually become covered with a thin film of paper stock and cease tosense a break in the paper.

In the manually operated valve arrangement, it is virtually impossiblefor the papenmaker to anticipate or catch the break in time, by manuallyIoperating the water valve, especially at the .high speeds at which Ythemachines are operated.

The present invention provides an arrangement which senses a break inthe paper web right at .the couch and as close as possible to the actualbreak.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout, FIGURE l shows thecouch end of a paper machine Fourdrinier containing a conventionalsuction couch assembly 10 and embodying the present invention showngenerally at 11.

The suction couch ,assembly 10` contains a convention-al vacuum chamber12 to which is attached the present Ainvention 11, positioned on the dryside. The invention shown at 11 comprises a detector head assembly whichis in reality a vacuum chamber having a direct connection 13 to the mainsuction couch vacuum chamber 12. Also shown in FIGURE 1 is the highpressure knock-olf shower 14.

In FIGURES 2 and 3 are shown details of the detector head assembly andthe ldetector body 15` which `supports the vacuum sensor 16. Vacuumsensor 16 has a plurality of inlets 17 all leading to .aninterconnecting header 18. At one end 1-9 of header 18, a pipeconnection 13 is made to .the suction box vacuum chamber 12. At theother end of header 18 is a connection 20' to a water supply, which isyused for routine cleaning of the sensor `16. FIG- URE 3 shows clearlyhow vacuum sensor 16 is kept in sealing contact with the inner surfaceof the lcouch roll 10, using a plurality of springs 21 to provide thenecessary pressure.

FIGURE 4 shows a schematic arrangement of all the components. The inputside of a vacuum-recording controller 22 is connected to the detectorhead assembly in parallel with the connection 13 to vacuum chamber 12.The output side of controller 22 is connected to Ia solenoid operatedair valve 23 which operates an air operated water valve 24. This valve24 controls the supply of high pressure water to knock-oit shower 14.

Also connected in the circuit is a ganged air/ water valve 25 which hasa water connection at 2.0 to the detector head assembly and an airconnection to the air operated water valve 24, in parallel with .thesolenoid operated valve 23.

Referring to FIGURE l, it will b e seen that when `the paper web-follows its normal path, the holes 17 in vacnum sensor 16 are open toatmosphere and, therefore air Will be drawn through via connection 13into vacuum chamber 12. When the paper web breaks, it clings .to thesuction couch and follows the path shown at 26'in FIG- URE 1. Thiscauses the holes 17 in vacuum sensor `16 to be sealed oil, and a highvacuum then occurs in header 18. This vacuum will Vbe communicated tothe recording cont-roller 22 which wil-l record the time of the breakand at the same time energize the solenoid operated air valve 23. Valve23, when energized, will operate the air operated water valve '24, whichwill then admit high pressure water to the .knocked shower .14. Thislwill remove the web of paper 26 from` the underside `of the FourdrinierWire and direct it into the co-uch pit.

To keep the holes 17 in vacuum sensor 16 clean and open and therebyavert unnecessary operation of Vknockoilpshower 14, a water :supply isprovided to allow periodical cleaning of holes 17. This is a manualoperation using air/ water valve 25. The operation of valve 25 alsoactuates the air operated water valve 24, thereby admitting highpressure water to the knock-olf shower 14. This covers the eventualityof a paper break occurring during the purging operation.

The present invention can be used with one or more detector headassemblies per suction roll, as required.

The detailed design of the present invention could be varied in manyways, such as with the substitution of pneumatic pressure instead ofsprings to hold vacuum sensor 16 in sealing contact with the innersurface of suction couch 10.

It will be seen that the present invention, `due to its position andconstruction, senses a break the instant it occurs. Also there rare noelectrical components on the machine itself, all the sensing being takenfrom `an existing pneumatic sounce.

The present invention uses the minimum amount of high pressure water,the knock-off shower being operated only when necessary.

Another Vfeature of the present invention lies in its fail safecharacteristics; any blockage of the sensor inlet holes merely causingoperation of the knock-oit shower.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided new and improvedmeans for obtaining all of the objects and a-dvantage of this invention.

Iclaimz 1. In a paper machine having a couch roll and a Fourdrinier wirecarried thereby, the combination comprising a shower normallynon-operating but adapted to be actuated to prevent the paper web fromclinging to said wire in the event of breakage of said paper web andsensor means for automatically effecting operation of sai-d shower uponbreakage of said paper web, said means being located at said couch roll.

2. In la paper machine having a couch roll and a Fourdrinier wirecarrie-d thereby, the combination comprising a shower normallynon-operating but adapted to be .actuated to prevent the paper web fromclinging to said wire -in the event of breakage of said paper web andsensor means for automatically effecting operation of said shower uponbreakage of said paper web, said means being located at said couch rolland being pressure actuated.

3. In a paper machine having a couch roll .and a Fourdrinier wirecarried thereby, the combination comprising -a shower normallynon-operating but adapted to be actuated to prevent the paper web fromclinging to said wire in the event of breakage of said paper web andmeans for automatically effecting operation of said shower upon breakageof said paper web, said means being located at said couch roll andincluding `a vacuum sensor.

4. In a paper machine having a couch roll and a Four-drinier wirecarried thereby, the combination comprising -a shower normallynon-operating but adapted to be .actuated to prevent the paper web fromclinging to said wire in the event of breakage of said paper web landmeans for automatically effecting operation of said shower upon breakageof said paper web, said means being located at said couch roll andincluding a vacuum sensor, said sensor being operatively connected tomeans for controlling the supply of water to said shower.

5. In a paper machine having a couch roll and a Fourdrinier wire carriedthereby, the -combination comprising a shower normally non-operating butadapted to be actuated to prevent the paper web from clinging to saidwire in the event of breakage of said paper web and means forautomatically effecting operation of said shower upon breakage of saidpaper web, said means being located at said couch roll and including `avacuum sensor and a water supply for cleaning said vacuum sensor.

`6. In a paper machine having a couch roll and a Fourdrinier wirecarried thereby, the combination comprising a shower normallynon-operating but `adapted to be actuated to prevent the paper web fromclinging to 4 said wire in the event of breakage of said paper web andmeans `for automatically effecting operation of said shower uponbreakage of said paper web, said means being located at said couch rolland including :a vacuum sensor, said sensor being operatively connectedto means for controlling the supply of water to said shower and a watersupply for cleaning said vacuum sensor.

7. In a paper machine having a couch roll, a Four- `drinier wire carriedthereby and a vacuum chamber, the combination comprising a normallynon-operating shower adapted to be actuated to prevent the paper webfrom clinging to said wire in the event of breakage of said paper weband vacuum sensor means adjacent said wire and connected to said vacuumchamber, means for controlling the supply of water to said shower, saidmeans being :adapted to be actuated upon blockage of said vacuum sensorupon breakage of said paper web.

8. In a paper machine having a couch roll, a Fourdrinier wire carriedthereby and a vacuum chamber, the combination comprising a normallynon-operating shower adapted to be `actuated to prevent the paper webfrom clinging to said wire in the event of breakage of said paper weband a 4vacuum sensor means adjacent said wire and connected to saidvacuum chamber, means for controlling the supply of water to saidshower, said means being adapted to be actuated upon blockage of saidvacuum sensor upon breakage of said paper web and a water supply for4cleaning said vacuum sensor.

9. In a paper machine having a couch roll, a Fourdrinier wire carriedthereby and a vacuum chamber, the combination comprising a normallynon-operating shower adapted to be actuated to prevent the paper webfrom clinging to said Iwire in the event of breakage of said paper weband a vacuum sensor means adjacent said wire and connected to saidvacuum chamber, means for controlling the supply of water to saidshower, said means being adapted to be actuated upon blockage of saidvacuum sensor upon breakage of said paper web, said vacuum sensor meansbeing positioned at said couch roll.

10. In `a paper machine having a couch roll, a Fourdrinier wire carriedthereby and a vacuum chamber, the combination comprising a normallynon-operating shower adapted to be actuated to prevent the paper webfrom clinging to said wire in the event of breakage of said paper weband Ia vacuum sensor means adjacent said wire and connected to saidvacuum chamber, means for controlling the supply of water to saidshower, said means being adapted to be actuated upon blockage of saidvacuum sensor upon breakage of said paper web, said vacuum sensor meansbeing positioned at said couch roll and a water supply for cleaning saidvacuum sensor.

11. In a paper machine having a couch roll, a Fourdrinier wire carriedthereby land a vacuum chamber, the combination comprising a normallynon-operating shower adapted to be actuated to prevent the paper webfrom clinging to said wire in the event of breakage of said paper weband a vacuum sensor means adjacent said wire and connected to saidvacuum chamber, means for controlling the supply of water to saidshower, said means being adapted to be actuated upon lblockage of saidvacuum sensor upon breakage of said paper web, said vacvuum sensor meansbeing positioned at said couch roll and said shower being positioned.adjacent said couch roll.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,604,138 Vidauer Oct. 26, 1926 1,634,885 Peschl July 5, 1927 1,692,112Cram Nov. 20, 1928 1,838,603 Witham Dec. 29, 1931 2,244,864 Witham June18, 1941 2,852,986 Western Sept. 23, 1958 2,864,284 Proffen Dec. 16,1958

11. IN A PAPER MACHINE HAVING A COUCH ROLL, A FOURDRINIER WIRE CARRIEDTHEREBY AND A VACUUM CHAMBER, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A NORMALLYNON-OPERATION SHOWER ADAPTED TO BE ACTUATED TO PREVENT THE PAPER WEBFROM CLINGING TO SAID WIRE IN THE EVENT OF BREAKAGE OF SAID PAPER WEBAND A VACUUM SENSOR MEANS ADJACENT SAID WIRE AND CONNECTED TO SAIDVACUUM CHAMBER, MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO SAID SHOWERSAID MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO BE ACTUATED UPON BLOCKAGE OF SAID VACUUMSENSOR UPON BREAKAGE OF SAID PAPER WEB, SAID VACUM SENSOR MEANS BEINGPOSITIONED AT SAID COUCH ROLL AND SAID SHOWER BEING POSITIONED ADJACENTSAID COUCH ROLL.